BEARDED VULTURE

The bearded vulture is back in the area ... Watching a free-flying bearded vulture is an impressive experience. Only a few years ago, the vulture returned to the national park region.

Breeding success and research at the Alpine zoo in Innsbruck about 30 years ago lead to an international joint project of zoos and protected areas, with the aim to re-settle the bearded vulture. The development, coupling and breeding of these birds in the Alpine high mountain regions (they were born in the zoo) was very successful. During the period of 2000 to 2008, 11 young bearded vulture were released into the Stilfser Joch National Park, in the Martell Valley. The bearded vulture find its ideal living conditions in the Stilfser Joch National Park: extending high-Alpine areas above the tree line, good thermals and a wide variety of hoofed animal cadavers. Four pairs have taken up residence inside the protected area. Since the first successful breeding programme, there are now 27 young birds at home at the park.